Author Archives: Alex Brost

“Can You Use HSA for Chiropractic?” Yes, you can. Actually, you should use HSA for any kind of chiropractic care. There are several reasons, but the most important is that it will help save your money on healthcare by setting pre-tax dollars aside.

There are several key aspects that directly or indirectly answer the question we initially asked. We will discuss everything from hook and line to sinker on HSA regarding chiropractic. Stay tuned and start using this powerful financial tool right away for chiropractic care.

What Is an HSA?

Well, there can be many ways to define HSA or Health Savings Accounts. The simplest way to understand: in the case of qualified health care costs, it is an amount of money that you won’t have to pay tax for. If you are still finding it difficult to understand, see what Govt. Healthcare website says,

“A type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. HSA funds generally may not be used to pay premiums. An HSA may earn interest or other earnings which are not taxable. Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions offer HSAs.”

How Health Savings Accounts Work

Health Savings Accounts save money spent on taxes for earned interest on your savings. Then, it transforms into useful amounts to use for qualified medical costs. The health savings account lets you set aside money pre-tax to pay for medical expenses. You may be able to lower your healthcare costs by using untaxed dollars in an HSA. Eventually, you can use the money to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses.

Can You Use HSA for Chiropractic Care?

Yes, you can use HSA funds for chiropractic care. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) considers spending on chiropractic care a qualified medical expense. But the important thing to remember is that, you can only avail it if you are seeking chiropractic for a specific medical condition or for preventative measures. The chiropractic care that HSA covers is as below

• Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic care such as spinal adjustments for joint pain, back pain, and chronic pain.
• Examinations: Initial and follow-up visits to chiropractic practitioners for diagnosis.
• Therapies: Chiropractic treatments like massage, heat therapy, and physical therapy that are provided by a licensed chiropractor.

There are a few pieces of documentation you would need to withdraw the required amount from HSA,

• Receipts: You would need receipts as proof of payment for chiropractic services.
• Invoices: Bills with the details of chiropractic services provided by the practitioner or center.
• Medical Records: Sometimes, medical records are required to prove the medical conditions before chiropractic treatments.

What Are the Benefits of Using Your HSA to Pay for Chiropractic?

• Tax Savings

Contributions to your HSA plan reduce your taxable income. Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

• Flexibility and Control

You can choose any licensed chiropractor, like The Brost Clinic, with a HSA plan. You have control over how and when to use your HSA funds for chiropractic treatment care.

• Improved Health Outcomes

Regular chiropractic care, without fear of spending money unplanned, unlocks non-interrupted treatment of your problems. Consequently, it helps prevent serious health issues and maintain overall mental and physical well-being.

• Budget Management

You can pay for chiropractic care with money saved by HSA. Using HSA funds helps cover costs without affecting your current budget and keeps your medicare budget tight and practical.

What Are the Downsides of Using an HSA for Chiropractic?

• Contribution Limits

There is an annual limit on how much you can add to your HSA per year, which might not be enough for all your healthcare expenses.

• High-Deductible Health Plan Requirement

You must have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) for an HSA loan, which means you pay more out-of-pocket before your insurance starts to help.

• Fund Accessibility

If your HSA doesn’t have enough sufficient funds, you might not be able to cover all your chiropractic expenses.

• Record-Keeping Responsibility

You need to keep detailed records of your medical expenses to show that your HSA withdrawals are for qualified medical costs in case of an expense audit.

HSA vs FSA for Chiropractic Treatment

• HSA (Health Savings Account)

• Rollover Feature: HSA funds don’t expire; you can keep them in a savings account for as long as you want.
• Investment Opportunities: You can invest HSA funds, and they grow tax-free.
• Flexibility: You can continue your HSA plan even if you change health plans or jobs.
• High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): You must have a High-deductible health plan to open an HSA, which spontaneously promotes a healthy insurance plan with a high deductible.

• FSA (Flexible Spending Account)

• Use-it-or-Lose-it Rule: FSA funds usually expire year to year. Therefore, you must reopen an account every year.
• No HDHP Requirement: You don’t need to have an HDHP to participate in an FSA.
• Employer Control: Your employer controls the FSA plan and sets the rules.
• Annual Election: You decide at the start of the year how much money to put in your FSAs.

Which Is Better for Chiropractic Care?

An HSA is better if you want to save money long-term, invest, and have flexibility in spending your money according to your needs.

FSA is better if you prefer not to have an HDHP and want immediate access to funds, but be mindful of utilizing your savings within a fixed time frame.

Where Can You Find More Information About HSA Eligibility for Chiropractic?

• IRS Resources: IRS Publication 502 is an authoritative source of information as this is a government website.
• HSA Administrators: As HSA is a savings account, concerned banks can help you with resources to learn more clearly about HSA.
• Chiropractic Clinics: If you already have an HSA, chiropractic clinics can help you use the savings on chiropractic visits and care. An expert finance team can provide you with the necessary information.
• Online Forums and Financial Advisors: A simple Google search can help you with that. There are many online forums, like Reddit or Quora, where people with experience in using FSA can give you practical ideas about the process.

What Do You Do If You’re Unsure?

• Consult with Your HSA Administrator: HSA administrators can help you to take the correct steps. Certainly, without health insurance, you can’t open an HSA, so your insurance company is your first point of query. If you are not satisfied, you can contact a bank that provides HSA service.
• Speak with Your Chiropractor: Effectively communicating with your chiropractor clinic will help you to find out the right way. As they deal with many patients, they have a clear idea about the process.
• Review IRS Guidelines: websites are regulated by government officials. So, the IRS guidelines published on authorized websites can make the path smoother for you.
• Seek Professional Advice: Taxation or Finance Law professionals can also help with their expertise in law and financial knowledge about opening or your eligibility for HSA.

Conclusion

Utilizing an HSA for chiropractic care has several benefits. HSAs allow your savings amounts to roll over yearly, grow tax-free, and stay as safe as medicare funding. This makes HSAs a better choice for covering chiropractic expenses.

By using your HSA, you can save on taxes and keep your healthcare costs manageable. Here at The Brost Clinic, our expert chiropractors can help you get better and at the same time, assist you in covering the cost with HSA if you have any. However you pay for our affordable services though, we aim to provide the best natural solution to your musculoskeletal problems. Call us today!

Do you feel like spinning in your head sometimes? Or have you heard someone say, “There is so much going on. I just feel like my head is spinning.” This is a symptom of vertigo. It is a unique situation in which stress can cause someone to feel that their surroundings are whirling and tilting. Middle- to older-aged people are more likely to experience such misery.

Luckily, there is a non-invasive treatment to cure vertigo: chiropractic care. Now, a question may come to your mind: “How can chiropractic help with vertigo?” In this article, we will answer this question thoroughly and explain every other important thing you need to know regarding vertigo.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom where you will feel a sudden sensation that you’re spinning or the floor is moving or tilting around you. Vertigo can cause intense feelings of dizziness and lasts for hours or even for days. Although it does not happen all the time, it causes serious problems and interferes with everyday tasks.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is often linked with inner ear problems such as ear infections. There are other conditions that cause vertigo, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere’s disease, as well as migraines, strokes, and head or neck injuries. Moreover, some medications also cause vertigo. This is why doctors have to understand your medical history.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Vertigo?

There is a wide range of symptoms of vertigo along with vertigo causes. The most common way to know if you’re suffering from vertigo is experiencing dizziness and imbalance. However, there are other symptoms, including:

• Tinnitus (Buzzing or ringing in the ears)
• Loss of hearing
• Swaying
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Sweating

How Can Chiropractic Help with Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensitive condition as it is linked to head, neck, or spine issues. Being a professional dealing with musculoskeletal issues, a chiropractor can help you with vertigo symptoms. A chiropractor removes the stress that occurs because of an adrenaline rush generated by the ‘fight-or-flight response. Let’s explore in detail how chiropractic treatment can be the best option for you regarding vertigo:

• Chiropractic Adjustments

One of the vertigo, called cervical vertigo, generally follows a neck injury in which joints in the cervical spine begin to move improperly. As a result, the brain receives signals of disordered posture and movements of your body.

A misaligned vertebra can also prevent the proper flow of spinal fluid. It causes buildup in the ear canal. This condition results in dizziness, headaches, and disorientation. A knowledgeable chiropractor will use manipulations. They realign the damaged nervous system and restore appropriate channels for signaling the brain.

Chiropractic adjustments can help you with vertigo return and reposition your vestibular system. They give you ease with restored hearing, improved balance, and greater confidence!

• The Epley Maneuver

There is another type of vertigo called “Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).” BPPV stems are built up from calcium particles in the inner ear. The calcium can shift from otolith organs to other areas of the inner ear and create dizziness from shifting the perceived center of balance.

Chiropractors can help to treat BPPV with the Epley Maneuver. In this process, the chiropractor holds the patient’s head and places it in different positions. This way, the calcium crystals get redistributed. It’s a non-invasive, rapid, and simple treatment. Your body’s natural healing can be facilitated through this.

Benefits of Choosing Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo

Yes, there are many medications and treatment options for vertigo and dizziness. But there are reasons why chiropractic care is becoming more and more popular. Let’s explore the benefits of chiropractic for vertigo.

1. Non-Invasive and Drug-Free: If you are the kind of person seeking natural treatment, chiropractic care is the best alternative option for finding relief. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical, drug-free alternative to choose.
2. Addresses Underlying Causes: A chiropractor works on your spine to realign it. It can be the root cause of vertigo. They find the proper cause first rather than treating the symptoms of your problems instantly.
3. Improves Overall Well-Being: Many patients who took chiropractic treatment to treat vertigo have achieved improved health conditions and enhanced quality of life.

Choosing the Right Chiropractor

If you are seeking chiropractic for vertigo, always look for an expert and licensed chiropractor. It’s important that they have previous experience with treating patients with such an issue. The chiropractor must know the right techniques, including the Epley Manoeuvre.

Chiropractic treatment is risk-free. However, if the spinal manipulation is done wrong, that might initiate long-term suffering. That’s why check the credentials of your selected chiropractors.

You can ask them questions about their experience and the techniques they follow, as well as ask for referrals and testimonials. Your peace of mind is important, so be fully sure when you consider your clinic.

Here in Wayzata, The Brost Clinic comes out as the top provider of chiropractic care. We have dealt with a number of vertigo patients who have left our clinic comfortable and happy. Experience and skill are unquestionable, but we are also dedicated to the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Contact us; we are here to answer all your questions and to help you treat vertigo issues.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that chiropractic care can reduce dizziness and vertigo and improve your quality of life. Moreover, it’s a drug-free, non-invasive, and risk-free treatment.

In this article, we have answered your question, “Can chiropractic help with vertigo?”, the causes and symptoms of vertigo, the benefits of chiropractic care, and how you can cure vertigo with the help of a chiropractor.

However, consult your healthcare provider for suggestions to take on chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic care is sometimes overlooked when it comes to digestive wellness. But it can make a significant difference. Spinal disorders may have an impact on the nervous system, which may then have an impact on digestion. So, if you ask, can chiropractors help with constipation, the answer will be yes. Chiropractors can assist in relieving digestive issues with gentle, simple methods. They help the nervous system function better by realigning the spine. It may improve the general health of the digestive system. In this guide, we’ll answer some critical questions regarding constipation and how chiropractic can help.

Are There Different Types of Constipation?

Any kind of constipation can be extremely annoying. Doctors discuss two types of constipation. One is primary, where constipation is the fundamental problem. The other is secondary when constipation is a symptom of another problem in the body.

• Primary Constipation

There is no known cause for primary constipation. It is often known as idiopathic constipation. Medical professionals have recognized three different types of primary constipation:

• Normal Transit Constipation: Patients have pain and bloating in the abdomen but do not have regular bowel motions.
• Slow Transit Constipation: In these situations, the stool moves through the colon more slowly since eating doesn’t encourage a regular bowel movement.
• Constipation with an Outlet: Difficulty passing stool may result from injury to the pelvic floor muscles that support the bowel. Women are more likely to have this condition after pregnancy. The same muscles support the female reproductive system.

• Secondary Constipation

There are numerous reasons for secondary constipation. The difficult part is determining what other bodily issue causes it. The medical condition causing the constipation must be identified and treated to help.

What Are the Main Causes of Constipation?

Whatever the cause, constipation can be extremely bothersome and annoying. Certain foods or insufficient water consumption can cause this problem. However, eating and drinking a wide variety of items can improve the digestive system’s ability to function. However, let’s see what other medical conditions can be the cause of chronic constipation:

• Hypothyroidism: Insufficient production of hormones by the thyroid gland
• Diabetes: A condition that alters how the body utilizes sugar
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A large intestine disorder
• Colon Cancer: A kind of large intestine cancer
• Vitamins or Minerals Deficiency: Body mineral counts going below the normal range

How Can Chiropractors Help with Constipation?

Chronic constipation and lower back discomfort can both benefit from chiropractic care. How do chiropractors treat the issue: compression of the spine.

Patients wear their clothes and lie face up on a specific table. The table gently moves to realign the spine. The chiropractor ensures that the adjustments release pressure from the nerve roots. In the days following the procedure, this can aid with improved digestion. Some patients also report less back pain due to better nerve function from the adjustments.

What to Expect During a Chiropractic Session for Constipation

Although going to a chiropractor for constipation may sound strange, many people find it helps. What to expect if you choose to give it a try is as follows:

• Overview and Discussion

The chiropractor will discuss your health on your first visit. They will ask about your constipation and any other problems you may be experiencing. This gives them a greater understanding of your body.

• Inspection

The chiropractor will then perform a physical test. Your body’s alignment, including your spine and other areas, may be examined. This aids in their identification of potential areas of concern.

• A Description of the Procedure

The chiropractor will go over their plan of action with you. They will explain how making certain adjustments can improve the function of your nervous and digestive systems.

• Chiropractic Adjustments

You’ll relax at an allocated table during the procedure. The chiropractor will quickly and gently adjust your spine using their hands or a small instrument. You might hear a popping sound, like when you crack your knuckles. Although it shouldn’t hurt, you might experience some pressure.

• Suggestions and Advice

The chiropractor may provide you with aftercare instructions after the adjustments. This could involve stretches and workouts. It can also include guidance on healthy eating practices to relieve constipation.

• Confirmation

A visit from the chiropractor may be sufficient in certain cases. Yet, more appointments may be suggested to ensure optimal body recovery. Additionally, they may want you to return for routine examinations.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to the question, “Can chiropractors help with constipation?” is an optimistic yes. Chiropractic care’s main goal is to treat musculoskeletal issues. However, this may improve nerve function and help with bowel and digestive processes. Regular visits to a chiropractor have helped many people find relief from constipation.

At The Brost Clinic, we offer the best chiropractic therapy to help people relieve pain. If you or a loved one suffers from constipation, reach out to us here in Wayzata. It might significantly impact your general health and well-being.

Every step you take, whether it’s a walk or a jog, puts pressure on your feet. Over time, this can lead to foot pain that affects your daily life. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of this pain. The sharp heel pain and discomfort from this issue can make even simple activities hard.

When you are looking for a treatment for plantar fasciitis, have you ever considered chiropractic? You may ask, how can chiropractor help with plantar fasciitis? Being experts in treating musculoskeletal issues in our body, chiropractors can definitely treat and heal plantar fasciitis. In this blog, we will explore the symptoms and causes of this foot problem and how chiropractors can be the best choice for treating it.

Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

It’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, stay aware and take proper steps to cure them. Significant pain in your foot can severely hamper your daily life and work. So, learning the symptoms mentioned below will help you take the right decision at the right time.

• One of the most common symptoms is stabbing heel pain. Typically, near the front and bottom of your foot, you may feel an excessive sensation of pain. It happens especially in the morning and after taking a long rest or exercising.
• You can also feel pain in the arch of your foot. It makes you uncomfortable walking or standing.
• Your ankle and foot may feel stiff due to standing for a long time or there can be inflammation. For that, you find it difficult to move.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis has several causes, and often more than one factor plays a role. Some common causes of heel pain include:

• Excessive pronation (when your arch flattens too much while bearing weight)
• Being overweight or gaining weight quickly
• Wearing poorly fitting shoes
• Doing activities that involve a lot of impact (like running or dancing)
• Changes in the plantar fascia due to aging

How Can Chiropractor Help with Plantar Fasciitis?

In today’s world, many people prefer holistic treatments. Chiropractic care has become popular, as well as for treating plantar fasciitis. Chiropractors use their skills to relieve pain, improve foot health, and help you regain mobility and a better quality of life. Let’s explore different chiropractic approaches for this particular problem.

• Spinal Signals and Lower Back Adjustments

A chiropractor starts with spinal adjustments of your foot nerves. Our foot is made from soft tissues. That’s why they target the spine first and massage it for tissue alignment. The spine plays an important role in transmitting the nerve signal in your foot. It ensures the delivery of accurate signals, and this process helps you relieve pain.

The lumbar region or lower back sends a higher volume of signals to the soft tissues in your feet. Moreover, the lower back is attached to the legs. If your back is slouched for years, it causes a curved shape in your lower spine. Chiropractic adjustment realigns or reshapes your curved back to release the foot pain.

• Foot Adjustments

A chiropractor can perform other chiropractic treatments along with spine adjustments. They may opt for chiropractic manual therapy on individual ankles or feet in serious cases. These treatments, along with spinal adjustments, help relieve pressure on your heel and reduce pain.

• Stretching

Chiropractors know a lot about bones and ligaments. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue or a ligament that can cause muscle and ligament cramps and tears. Regular stretching can make these fibers stronger. A chiropractor might suggest regular stretching exercises to prevent discomfort and protect you.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Plantar Fasciitis

A chiropractic treatment is a natural way of treating muscle, bone, and joint problems. Surely it’s an excellent option for heel and foot pain like plantar fasciitis. Let’s find out the benefits of a successful visit to a chiropractor for this issue:

• Non-invasive Approach

Chiropractic treatment is a holistic approach to any problem related to the spine, muscles, or bone. Those who prefer a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure to their healthcare treatment may find chiropractic valuable.

• Adjusted Posture

A chiropractor can help with your spinal alignment to reduce the pain from your feet. They will apply different techniques like flexion-distraction to high-velocity and low-amplitude thrusts. This particular process is also highly effective in eliminating other complications.

• Enhanced Healing

To help your foot heal, you need to take the pressure off the plantar fascia. Your chiropractor may suggest exercises to stretch the ligament and recommend lifestyle and nutrition changes.

• Effective Pain Management

Chiropractic care is a highly effective way to manage body pain. It helps the brain and nerves communicate better, improving the central nervous system’s function. This method targets the root of the problem for longer-lasting pain relief, not just the symptoms.

• Improved Foot Mechanics

A chiropractor addresses the biomechanical issues in your feet and ankles. They realign your joints to improve the overall function of your feet and remove tension from plantar fascia.

• Muscle Tension Reduction

A Chiropractor does various soft tissue therapies to reduce muscle problems and tightness in the calf. They perform a message in your tissue for myofascial release. It helps you to have better flexibility and reduce strain.

• Personalized Treatment Plans

Chiropractors check up on each patient individually and create personalized treatment plans. Any method is curated with the goal of meeting each patient’s specific needs.

• Reduced Risk of Further Injury

When any patient faces extreme problems due to plantar fasciitis, they often try to adjust their gait. It results in leading to back pain, sore joints, and strained muscles. With the proper help of a chiropractor, you can reduce the risk of further injury in your feet. The right treatment will help with better mobility and posture, too.

How Can I Prevent Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain?

Yes, there are treatments for plantar fasciitis but what will work better is if you be careful of your lifestyle so it doesn’t happen. Here are a few ways you can prevent this foot problem and lead a better life:

• Always wear accurately fitted shoes to avoid any discomfort in your feet. You can wear padded socks if your shoes don’t fit well
• Wear shoes that are well-cushioned in the area of your heel. If your shoes do not have such a feature, you can buy additional cushions for your feet.
• Reducing excessive body weight will lessen the pressure on your feet.
• Stretch your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon regularly to minimize the stress from your feet.
• Avoid doing exercises on hard surfaces.
• If you feel a burning sensation in your heel area, visit a doctor promptly. Getting early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

Conclusion

Chiropractic care can help you to regain your freedom and maximize your comfort. The recovery can take time but with proper guidance, dedication, and a holistic approach, you can find comfort soon. As we have discussed, the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment is noticeable and it helps to reduce the pain associated with plantar fasciitis without any side effects.

If you have been dealing with foot pain for quite a long time and are looking for treatment options around Wayzata, contact “The Brost Clinic” right away. We are a professional and dedicated team of chiropractors who can guide you and provide you with personalized, natural treatment for safe and swift healing from foot discomfort.